Sr. Priscillah Makokha
For the past 20 years, Sister Mary Pauline Waititu of the Little Daughters of St. Joseph has
worked with people with disabilities, helping them discover their potential through skills
training, empowerment and advocacy. Through the Maa Women Project in Kajiado County, she
is supporting girls and young women with intellectual disabilities to acquire practical skills,
become more self-reliant and reclaim their dignity.
A teacher by profession, Sister Mary Pauline specialized in counselling psychology during her
master’s and doctoral studies. She previously lectured in psychology at the Catholic University
of Eastern Africa and Tangaza College. She was also a member of the Women Faith Leadership
Fellowship (WFLF) 2024–2025 cohort.
Her current work focuses on empowering girls and young women with intellectual disabilities
through capacity building and advocacy. In addition to vocational skills training, she sensitizes
local government and communities on the need to protect the rights of women with disabilities
and address the stigma they face.
One experience that shaped her commitment occurred while she was teaching at a special school.
She encountered a 33-year-old woman who had remained in the same classroom for 20 years
without receiving a meaningful opportunity to learn a practical skill. Despite being an adult, the
woman continued to be treated like a child, with little consideration given to her abilities and
potential.
The experience saddened Sister Mary Pauline and prompted her to reflect on how many other
women with intellectual disabilities were living without opportunities to discover their abilities.
She began questioning the value of keeping these women in classrooms without equipping them
with practical skills suited to their individual needs. She saw the importance of providing
training that would help them develop everyday life skills and become more independent.
Deeply touched by their circumstances, Sister Mary Pauline decided to go beyond her usual
responsibilities and establish the Maa Women Project.
Named after the Maasai community in Kajiado County, the initiative seeks to support girls and
young women with disabilities, as well as young mothers raising children with disabilities. Many
of these women have limited educational opportunities and struggle to earn a living. Some find it
difficult to provide even basic necessities for their families, while others experience
discrimination because of their disabilities. Among them are adults who have grown up without
adequate care or opportunities to acquire practical skills.
Through the project, Sister Mary Pauline aims to equip these women with skills that can help
them earn a living and reduce their dependence on well-wishers. She also seeks to raise
awareness among families and communities that women with disabilities have abilities and can
make meaningful contributions to society.
Establishing the project was not easy, but Sister Mary Pauline remained determined. With
support from her religious congregation and friends, she managed to secure a small house where
the women could meet for training. She also acquired sewing machines, threads, beads and other
materials needed for the activities.
The participants meet twice a week for training sessions conducted by a skilled instructor, with
support from a fellow sister. They learn practical skills such as basket weaving, hairdressing,
beadwork, tailoring, dressmaking, decoration and jewellery repair.
These skills provide opportunities for the women to develop their abilities and apply what they
learn in their daily lives. Where possible, they can also use the skills to establish small businesses
and earn an income.
Beyond the practical benefits, the training offers the women an opportunity to regain confidence,
hope and a sense of dignity as they work towards a better future.
The woman Sister Mary Pauline encountered at the special school later began learning beadwork
and, with time, acquired hairdressing skills. This marked a significant achievement, not only
because she had learned something new but also because she could now use her hands to create
something useful and take pride in her work.
By acquiring these skills, she gained the possibility of earning money and becoming more
independent. Her experience demonstrates what can be achieved when people with intellectual
disabilities receive patience, encouragement and genuine opportunities to learn.
For Sister Mary Pauline, such experiences reinforce the belief that people with intellectual
disabilities should not be defined by the limitations others attribute to them. Like everyone else,
they need opportunities to discover their strengths and develop their abilities.
Although they may learn at different paces, appropriate support can help them make meaningful progress.
The Maa Women Project also seeks to challenge negative attitudes towards women with
disabilities. As participants acquire practical skills, they have an opportunity to demonstrate to
their families and communities that they can contribute to society. Their achievements can help
change perceptions of disability, replacing stigma with greater understanding and respect.
Through this initiative, Sister Mary Pauline demonstrates how a small project can make a
meaningful difference in people’s lives. Her work goes beyond vocational training to recognize
the worth of every woman and provide opportunities for her to develop her potential.
Her commitment is a reminder that every person deserves dignity and an opportunity to build a
future. Sometimes, meaningful change begins with someone who believes in others and is
willing to walk alongside them.
Through the Maa Women Project, Sister Mary Pauline is helping girls and young women with
disabilities recognize that their disabilities do not define their worth and that they, too, have
valuable contributions to make to their families and communities.